psst...we're back ;)

E r o s

My mood was at an all time high because today was finally the start of Cole and I's pre-honeymoon vacation.

At least that's how I see it.

Traveling long distances had never bothered me before, I'd normally be able to snooze through most of it but for some reason, I could only find myself awake the entire time.

Cole, however, was fast asleep.

We were already well into our long flight and while he tried to stay awake for my sake, his eyes had eventually fluttered shut and have been that way for the past hour.

I had no qualms, I got to watch an angel sleep and it was absolutely the best view I'd ever seen in my life.

I couldn't help but think about the rest of the trip, it was sure to be perfect. No work, no responsibilities, no idiot couple, and best of all, no cockblocker Mikhail.

This truly is bliss.

There was a point in time where I'd thought I would never get to do things like this.

I was an extremely picky person when it came to who I showed affection for, so it was always a problem when I used to do things with other people but never attach any kind of feelings or labels to the actual thing.

I was quicker to end it if the other person seemed to be growing actual feelings for me. I knew at that time that I wasn't ready for any kind of serious relationships, I couldn't fathom the idea of loving someone when I hadn't even loved myself back then.

Pushing those thoughts out of mind, I decided to spend the last hour of our flight flipping through the many places I'd already flagged for us, deciding which location I should take Cole to first.

As I was looking, a small grunt from Cole made me look to him, seeing him stir awake as his eyes eventually opened slowly. They quickly focused on my own and a sleepy smile formed on his face.

"What are you...looking—..." before Cole had even processed that he was speaking, his eyes had already fluttered shut once more.

I thought he would continue but Cole remained unconscious, sleep taking him quicker than he could realize.

Did he just fall asleep in the middle of his sentence? I tried my best to hold my laughter in, but I was failing horribly as small chuckles left my lips.

Eventually, we had finally touched down and Cole was officially up this time, his eyes taking in the sights around us as we walked to the car that was waiting for us outside.

It was hot, unusually so for the middle of winter but given where we were, it only made sense. The car ride wasn't long but the scenery changed from populated to every few miles or so having some houses.

When we finally arrived, even I was in awe upon stepping out of the vehicle. I know I'm the one that chose this place but it surely looked better in person than on a computer.

The villa was a beige color that helped set the tone of 'vacation' to it, the greenery surrounding it was in abundance and not to mention the insanely clean steps that led up to it. I know this place is new and all but whoever cleaned this seriously must have wanted to eat off of it.

Oh well, works for me.

Stepping into the large house, the beautiful interior was practically sparkling and as we continued to enter further in, the house did not fail its first impression inspection.

Good job as always, Eros.

Upon finally bringing up our bags up to our room, the first thing Cole did was collapse onto the bed.

"Still tired?" I asked as I walked over to his figure that laid on the bed.

I knew the long flight would tire him out and though he slept through some of it, it likely wasn't enough since we also woke up very early this morning so that we'd arrive before nightfall.

Cole's hum was muffled by the sheets and I laid next to my lover, gazing at the dark strands of his hair that were messy and strewn about because of him sleeping.

"Well let's get something to eat for starters it's past dinner time" I suggested.

Cole rolled over so that we were face to face, though I underestimated just how close he would be and his lips hit my cheek as his roll came to a stop.

Our eyes met and I just smiled at the occurrence. Cole didn't seem phased by it either as he simply adjusted himself so that we could see one another properly.

"Too tired" Cole muttered.

"A shower then bed it is" I said as I reached up to fix Cole's hair.

"Wanna get in together?" Cole's question made me pause in my tracks for a second.

"I've told you that I'm weak to temptation, didn't I?" I said as I looked at Cole and he gave a short laugh at my words.

"Be good tonight please" he said as he gave my lips a brief peck and like the whipped sucker that I am, I savored the small touch.

Though fleeting, it never failed to give anything but warmth and I couldn't help but think about how I wanted to pull him back in for a longer kiss.

"I suppose I can do that" I said, deciding not to say what was on my mind for once.

"Will you wash and dry my hair?" Cole asked and though I was stunned that he was actually asking, who was I to deny?

"Of course, anything you wish my love" I replied and Cole's happy smile was the only thing that mattered to me in that moment.

I didn't care what it was, if Cole asked it of me, of course I'd see to it that it got done. I wished that asking me to spoil him would be more natural for Cole by now but I know that it's just not in his nature to be demanding.

It didn't matter though, I'm still going go spoil him rotten no matter what.

Meanwhile...

M i k h a i l

If there was one thing I hated about my job, it was certainly the many inconveniences and extra work that came with it.

"Just to let you know, one of these guys pet snake is missing..."

"I think one of the guns are missing, one of the kids may have been playing with them"

"Can you sign these referrals for the new transfers?"

Ever since I walked in this shitshow at nine this morning, people have been bombarding me with irregular issues that only seemed to occur whenever Eros was on a leave of absence.

Or perhaps they're just too scared to tell him which means I haven't instilled enough fear into these people either.

"Find it. Now. And once you do, let them know to get rid of it, there's no reason anyone should be keeping a snake as a pet in the first place"

"Why on earth are you standing here when there's a possibility that a child has a gun? Go find them!"

"Drop the referrals on my desk and I'll get to them when I can"

And just when I thought I'd solved everyone's problems?

"A shipment is delayed and we need what's in those boxes for our trade next week. Who should I give this to?"

Sighing in defeat, I could only stare at the messenger with a deep feeling of sorrow.

This is going to be the longest 2 months of my life.

Curse you, Eros Azure.

And then, the last person I wanted to see waltzed into the room as if it was nobody's business.

"Hey, mate. How's ya doin'?" Harvey's jovial tone and strange accent was enough to send my soul to the pits of hell as I gave him an annoyed look.

"Why are you talking like that?" I said.

Putting on a dumb face, Harvey tilted his head.

"Like what?" He fired back.

"That"

"What is 'that'?"

"Your voice"

"What about my voice?"

"Why are you talking like that?"

"Like what?"

I'm going to kill this dumbass.

"The fucking accent Harvey" I said exasperatedly.

"Oh! Why didn't you just say so? Well, I'm not sure, it really just comes out at times" Harvey said.

"Can we just go one day with you people being normal around here?" I muttered under my breath but apparently not low enough.

"Who are you talking to?"

God kill me now.

"I assume you came in here for a reason" I said and Harvey nodded vigorously.

"I did! You see...uh, nevermind I forgot" Harvey trailed off with an awkward look on his face that left me to think that he must have smoked something.

"I'm sure if it was important I'd actually remember it but seeing as I can't, it must not be that important" Harvey rambled and that's when I stood up.

"Are you doing this to fuck with me or something?" I asked.

"Uh, no, you're mistaking me for Eros. He's the one that does fucked up stuff like that" Harvey chimed.

"Leave" I said as I pointed to the door that Harvey left wide open.

"Huh?" Harvey frowned at my dismissal but I wasn't having it any more. I needed him to leave before I decide to off myself in the most unpleasant way possible.

"Just go and do what Harvey does on a normal day, please, for the love of whatever god is out there" I said.

"But it's 4 o'clock, everyone knows this is 'Harvey checks on his friends' time" he said, holding up the watch that didn't exist on his wrist.

"Well your...friend appreciates you taking time out of your surely 'busy' day to come check up on him" I said, sardonically smiling at him.

"No one has ever said that to me before. Well, Cole says it in a very Cole way but we all know he's too nice sometimes. But this is the first time someone other than him is thanking me!!!"

As Harvey spoke, something finally clicked in my head.

Why isn't he leaving?

"Harvey" I said slowly and Harvey froze upon hearing the tone in my voice.

"Hm?"

"You did something didn't you?" I asked.

When the man's stature went rigid, I knew I'd finally gotten to the bottom of this problem. His 'annoy me to death so that I wouldn't realize he did something' plan must have been going so well.

And I could bet a billion dollars that Jamie is likely cleaning up after him this very instance.

"I don't know what it is you did but at this point, I'd rather you just clean it up so I don't actually have to see and deal with it" I said.

Playing it off with a laugh, Harvey waved his hands around in dismissal of my accusation.

"Mikhail, you work too hard! Nothing's happened...yet"  He said and I narrowed my eyes.

"Well something is going to happen to you if you don't leave right this instance" I said.

Finally taking the cue, Harvey saluted before walking out of the room and shutting the door behind him.

Plopping down in my seat with a huff, I stared at the clock that ticked on endlessly.

I don't think I can take even a week more of this, let alone 2 months.